78SC Euro, Front Suspension Question...

[acapella8]

HELP - my saturday project was to install a front strut brace.

Any hints on removing the front strut nut that has some sort of locking tab?

Bentley at page 401-5 says: "...Bend back strut mounting nut locking tab..."

But THAT's what I can't figure out how to do.

Any clues?

-Tom





She will remain like this until I get it figured out...

[livi]

As far as I can see, its already been bent back on the pic. They are referring to the small washer under the nut that comes bent up against the nut on one side in order for the nut not to unscrew itself.

The job is all about conterhold. There is an insert on the big washer you have to keep steady as you turn the nut. Even better if someone can hold the housing still from under the fender while turning the nut.

[mmastro]

Yup, your bent up washer has already been bent down. So you can take the nut off now. The easiest way is an impact gun (either electric or air powered) so you don't have to worry about the strut piston turning on you. But a pipe wrench on the big washer under the nut will do in a pinch (you'll just have teeth marks on your washer afterwards).
cheers,

[Oh Haha]

HAH! I just replaced my strut inserts today.
I used an impact on the the top nut. It came right off with problems.

[450knotOffice]

What they all said. Have someone grab the big washer with some strong pliers and hang on tight to prevent it from turning. Then you get a breaker bar and break loose the top nut. Easy, really.

If you have an impact gun, so much the better.

[PorscheGuy79]

Oh, forget my email Tom let me explain what they are saying a little further just to make sure you get it. Inside the strut there is an insert that is sitting in there freely. What most of us here think is happening is that when you are moving the washer you are just spinning the insert around inside the housing. Just to clerify that this is the problem, is the nut spinning but not coming off or is it not turning at all? The latter is a bigger issue. The impact gun with give bursts of power that can get the nut off without spinning the strut insert. I actually need one for my steering wheel install but I gotta find someone around here with one. As a note Harbor Freight does sell an electric impact gun for like 80 bucks that MIGHT work, but im not for certain.

[acapella8]

The nut is spinning but not coming off.

I'm off to sears for an impact gun when they open at 10A.

Thanks to all....,I'll post results...